The Beauty of Bureaucracy - Harding University
The Beauty of Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy
Max Weber’s ideal:
Clear division of labor
Hierarchical structure
Clear chain of command
Consistent system of rules
Rational and impersonal
Career employment based on qualifications
Downsides:
Can monopolize information
Hard organism to destroy
Impersonality and formalization can yield unresponsiveness
The Paradox of Weber:
Bureaucratic structures yield a significant increase in effectiveness and efficiency, but also have a functional monopoly on information, are change resistant and can be autocratic.
Remember: Compared to what…
Yes, I did just say bureaucracy was efficient…
Compared to what?
Monarchy and class supremacy
Spoils systems and favoritism
Hobby or avocational administration
Mob Rule
Wild West
Theocracy
Unless you are physically very powerful, extremely wealthy, fully fortressed, and ruthless, you don’t want to live like that!
Bureaucratic Definitions
Bureaucracy
NOT just government
An administrative structure with standardized procedures, professionalized employees, hierarchical management, specialization of labor, and predictable results
Bureaucrat
Government employee, often in a merit based position, apart from the political process
Bureau
A small part of an agency
Merit vs. Patronage
Merit based employment
Open employment
Advertising
Knowledge, skills and aptitudes
Tests and examinations
“Best” person for the job
Rational and scientific
Secure from” winds of political change”
Patronage
Appointment based on personal skills and connections
Political supporters, and their kith and kin
Responsive to political changes that express the will of the people
Let’s Go to the Web to Look at Some Governmental Bureaucracies
Constitutional Agencies
Departments and Agencies set in statute
Boards and Commission
Committees
Thought question: Are some of these still avocational?
The Half of All Knowledge…
Is knowing where to find it. You’re going to need help!
Why do we need reorganization?
Horse and Dog Racing is in Dept. of Finance and Administration
Boiler inspection is in Dept. of Labor
State Historian is in Parks and Tourism, NOT Arkansas Heritage
Highway Patrol is in State Police, NOT Highway and Transportation Dept.
This is NOT organized, and it is NOT easy to navigate!
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